Ratchet Rake - ever seen/used one?

[thavil]

I was finally able to test out the new rachet rake for a few minutes this afternoon. For the last two days, we have been getting some rain, so it was really too muddy to be out there but I couldn't resist. I have attached some pictures of the rake for anyone interested.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I ordered on Sunday and received the rake on Wednesday. The rake is 52 lbs for the 52" one that I ordered for my 48" bucket. No issue at all with the rake sticking out the 2" on either side. The rake was really easy to install and only took about 2 minutes. Will be much quicker the next time. The install instructions said to lay the rake down on a flat surface with a block holding it upright. Then drive up to the rake and side the lip of the bucket into the slot. I didn't do this, I just picked it up by hand and placed it on the lip of the bucket, easier in my opinion.

As I mentioned, it's muddy outside, so I only spent a few minutes with it. So far, I'd say it's a good purchase. I was able to rip out some nasty vines, small saplings, thorn bushes and even a small stump that I didn't see. The ratchet straps or rake didn't loosen at all while using it. This weekend, I'll use it more when it dries out.

Picture 1 - Complete kit before install
Picture 2 - Completed install
Picture 3 - One pass in some easy stuff
Picture 4 - Before shot of some nasty stuff
Picture 5 - Ripping into the vines and thorny stuff
Picture 6 - After shot with only spending a few minutes working the rake
Picture 7 - Picture of the rake, the stuff I ripped out and my barnyard dog
Picture 8 - Happy tractor going to bed for the night

If I have to say anything negative about the rake (but I knew this before I bought it) is that the FEL is sorta useless to scoop anything up with the rake installed. Once you make a pile of stuff that you pull out, you pretty much have to take the rake off or load the FEL by hand if the piles are in an area that you don't want to tear up.

Tod

 

[thavil]

OK Tod, it's tomorrow. It's almost 7PM!! Where is the info from a man that has actually touched one? There are alot of us counting on you. Don't let us down or keep us hanging. Don't act like you have more to do than keep your fellow Kubota owners that need/want a ratchet rake informed concerning your purchase. Come on Tod, report in!!! Where are you Tod? Are you there? Anyone have Tods home phone number? Call him!!

Patience John patience!! I was typing my post as you sent yours.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Patience John patience!! I was typing my post as you sent yours.

Thanks Tod. I appreciate the pictures and info as I'm sure the other fence stradlers do also. Looks like EE did a pretty good job making your rake. Those Japanese do good work. Trading my BX2350 Monday for a BX2360 so now to decide whether to get the bigger one for the B3200 60" or the smaller one for the BX. Thanks again.

 

[Bassicfun]

Tod, would you continue to update this as things dry out some and you do more clean up work with it (as well as any ripping out of sod/grass/leveling/dragging as well)?

This seems like the perfect tool for some of what I will need to do on our 5 acres that was old farmland and has fence rows with briars and wild bushes grown up, it all needs torn out, this seems like a great cost alternative to do much of this. Please continue to share pictures and thoughts/uses with us in the upcoming days/weeks! Again thank you.

 

[thavil]

Thanks Tod. I appreciate the pictures and info as I'm sure the other fence stradlers do also. Looks like EE did a pretty good job making your rake. Those Japanese do good work. Trading my BX2350 Monday for a BX2360 so now to decide whether to get the bigger one for the B3200 60" or the smaller one for the BX. Thanks again.

You're welcome John. With my limited experience using the rake, I don't have a suggestion on which tractor to buy for. I guess if I was in your situation, I would go with the one that better fits the stuff you need to tear out. If you will be working around a bunch of trees close together, I would probably buy one for the BX. If space isn't an issue, I would go with the larger one.

Tod, would you continue to update this as things dry out some and you do more clean up work with it (as well as any ripping out of sod/grass/leveling/dragging as well)?

This seems like the perfect tool for some of what I will need to do on our 5 acres that was old farmland and has fence rows with briars and wild bushes grown up, it all needs torn out, this seems like a great cost alternative to do much of this. Please continue to share pictures and thoughts/uses with us in the upcoming days/weeks! Again thank you.

Not a problem Bassicfun. As I use it and develop a good technique, I will post my results. I did attempt to cut some sod with it before I headed to the woods but didn't get good results. I know I can do better on drier ground and with more use. When I dug into the briars and wild bushes for the few minutes I used it, I didn't do what the video showed. Instead of backdragging out, I curled the FEL and then raised it to rip out what was stuck above. This also kept most of the junk stuck to the rake and I was able to dump it away from my working area. If I would have dragged it out, it's not easy to pick up again to move to a different location.

 

[Bassicfun]

I wondered how well it would rip out brush. I may end up ripping up my front field/yard, about 2+ acres. I may use this to help drag out the large pieces of sod/weeds/growth.. I am thinking I'll do that, make a big pile in the middle of the yard, ensure there is plenty of dirt and no other vegetation around and light a match to 'remove' it for good. then I would be curious how well it works to smooth the ground in prep for seeding.

 

[J_J]

thavil,

Is this the address your rake was shipped from?

Construction Implements Depot LLC
PO box 397 1248 North Main Street
DENTON, NC 27239

I don't think that rake will make a good sod cutter, you need a sharp slicing blade. However you can probably rip/scratch out all the green stuff and rake it smooth.

The larger unit is 1/2 in thick. Smaller one is 3/8 in

 

[Bassicfun]

I don't think that rake will make a good sod cutter, you need a sharp slicing blade. However you can probably rip/scratch out all the green stuff and rake it smooth.

I think that is just fine, I'll rip it all out.. push it into a pile, and ignite it, then go back afterwards and rake the dirt smooth in preparation for seed!!

 

[thavil]

thavil,

Is this the address your rake was shipped from?

Construction Implements Depot LLC
PO box 397 1248 North Main Street
DENTON, NC 27239

J_J - You're in luck, I went out to my garage and still had the shipping label in my trash can. Now my wife is trying to figure out what the heck I am doing, digging in the trash and then posting online. Hopefully the Rachet Rake folks won't mind me giving the shipping address.

Rachet Rake
Loflin Fabrication LLC
1382 Cranford Rd
Denton, NC 27239

Tod

 

[J_J]

Tod,

Thanks, must be two different company's building implements in Denton, N.C.